Welsh: The Language of Song, Part III
Today we'll look at a peculiarly Welsh musical form known as cerdd dant. I was lucky enough to get additional information on this unique type of music, consisting of harp and voice, from someone with firsthand experience. Firstly, though, I'd like to mention some practitioners of vocal music that isn't quite as traditionally Welsh-popular singers, rock music, and the Welsh National Opera. Though these genres may not be as traditional as the folk or hymn singing, they all owe a debt, whether great or small, to these older musical forms and the strong presence of song in the Welsh culture.
Popular Singing. Some of the most well-known Welsh vocalists don't sing in Welsh, but are famous the world over for their performances and have promoted, at the very least, an awareness and interest in the musical traditions of Wales. Hardly anyone hasn't heard of Tom Jones or Charlotte Church. Many others are familiar with Shirley Bassey of Goldfinger fame, and the talented bass-baritone Bryn Terfel (famous for his opera singing). Several others are mentioned by Natalie Bayer and on the British Council's New Routes.
Rock & Pop. A couple of decades after the main surge of Welsh folk music, another upswing in Welsh consciousness is occurring in the realm of rock and pop. Some groups create music in Welsh and some don't, but all of them are helping to bring worldwide attention to the music scene in Wales. According to Julian May, the success of groups such as the Manic Street Preachers, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Catatonia, Stereophonics, and Super Furry Animals is proving to the world that Welsh identity is "cool - and that singing in Welsh is no obstacle to commercial success." In fact, the Super Furry Animals' double album Mwng was recorded entirely in Welsh. To read about these groups in more detail, visit Natalie Bayer's site or some of the other sites mentioned below in "Resources."
Welsh National Opera. The Welsh National Opera held its first performance in 1946, and since then has risen to international prominence for its excellence. Many renowned opera singers have performed with the Cardiff-based company, perhaps the most famous of whom is Bryn Terfel, mentioned above. The WNO is now the largest touring opera company in the UK and has won several awards.
Cerdd Dant. Cerdd dant may seem to translate to "tooth music," but the word "dant" is theorized to actually be the word "tant," referring to the harp strings. This remarkable musical tradition consists of a singer or singers, performing in the strict metrical form known as cynghanedd, accompanying a harpist (or sometimes pianist) who may be playing a completely different tune! This sort of performance is coordinated by very strict rules, and can be seen in competitive form at eisteddfodau and festivals. Roger Fenton, of Aberystwyth, has kindly allowed me to reprint his summary version of the rules of cerdd dant, plus some of his impressions of performing it with the Côr Cantre'r Gwaelod. These are the general rules, according to Roger:
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